The second surprise of the evening at the count in Rivermead Leisure Complex came when Howard Thomas, leader of the Reading-based Common Sense Party polled 852 votes beating the Green Party’s Adrian Windisch into last place with just 582 votes.

The turnout – around five per cent higher than at the last General Election – was more than 66 per cent.

Mr Sharma, who has been working hard in the constituency as candidate since 2006, thanked the election team for their “fantastic work”.

He paid tribute to Mr Salter and looked forward to “the fresh start that this country so badly needs”.

And he rallied his staff – at 5am when the count was called – to get ready to start work that afternoon.